Evaluation of neurogenic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells; a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

Background: Retinoic acid as one of the most important regulators for cell differentiation was examined in this study for differentiation of human umbilical mesenchymal cells (hUCM).

Methods: After isolation, hUCM were evaluated for mesenchymal stem cell properties by flow cytometry and alkaline phosphatase assay. Also, doubling time of the cells and their differentiation potential into adipogenic and osteogenic cells were tested.